The Supreme Court Reborn

The Constitutional Revolution in the Age of Roosevelt

William E. Leuchtenburg

To validate the revolutionary legislation of the New Deal, Franklin Roosevelt had to fight a ferocious battle against the opposition of the Supreme Court. Benefits like Social Security may now be seen as every American's birthright, but it took a Constitutional revolution to wrest such reform from the jaws of a laissez-faire Court. In The Supreme Court Reborn, William E. Leuchtenburg deftly portrays the events leading up to Roosevelt's showdown with the Supreme Court. The conservative "Four Horsemen"--Justices Butler, Van Devanter, Sutherland, and McReynolds--struck down one regulatory law after another, outraging Roosevelt and much of the Depression-stricken nation. Roosevelt's infamous "Court-packing plan" would have allowed the president to add one new justice for every sitting justice over the age of seventy, but it was defeated. Despite this failure, however, the president won his battle with the Supreme Court when the court changed its mind and, one by one, the Four Horsemen left the bench, to be replaced by Roosevelt's appointees. As a consequence of the Constitutional revolution that began in 1937, not only was the New Deal upheld (as precedent after precedent was overturned), but the Court also began a dramatic expansion of civil liberties that would culminate in the Warren Court. This superbly crafted book sheds new light on the great Constitutional crisis of the century, illuminating the legal and political battles that created today's Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court Reborn

The Constitutional Revolution in the Age of Roosevelt

William E. Leuchtenburg

Description

For almost sixty years, the results of the New Deal have been an accepted part of political life. Social Security, to take one example, is now seen as every American's birthright. But to validate this revolutionary legislation, Franklin Roosevelt had to fight a ferocious battle against the opposition of the Supreme Court--which was entrenched in laissez faire orthodoxy. After many lost battles, Roosevelt won his war with the Court, launching a Constitutional revolution that went far beyond anything he envisioned. In The Supreme Court Reborn, esteemed scholar William E. Leuchtenburg explores the critical episodes of the legal revolution that created the Court we know today. Leuchtenburg deftly portrays the events leading up to Roosevelt's showdown with the Supreme Court. Committed to laissez faire doctrine, the conservative "Four Horsemen"--Justices Butler, Van Devanter, Sutherland, and McReynolds, aided by the swing vote of Justice Owen Roberts--struck down one regulatory law after another, outraging Roosevelt and much of the Depression-stricken nation. Leuchtenburg demonstrates that Roosevelt thought he had the backing of the country as he prepared a scheme to undermine the Four Hoursemen. Famous (or infamous) as the "Court-packing plan," this proposal would have allowed the president to add one new justice for every sitting justice over the age of seventy. The plan picked up considerable momentum in Congress; it was only after a change in the voting of Justice Roberts (called "the switch in time that saved nine") and the death of Senate Majority Leader Joseph T. Robinson that it shuddered to a halt. Rosevelt's persistence led to one of his biggest legislative defeats. Despite the failure of the Court-packing plan, however, the president won his battle with the Supreme Court; one by one, the Four Horsemen left the bench, to be replaced by Roosevelt appointees. Leuchtenburg explores the far-reaching nature of FDR's victory. As a consequence of the Constitutional Revolution that began in 1937, not only was the New Deal upheld (as precedent after precedent was overturned), but also the Court began a dramatic expansion of Civil liberties that would culminate in the Warren Court. Among the surprises was Senator Hugo Black, who faced widespread opposition for his lack of qualifications when he was appointed as associate justice; shortly afterward, a reporter revealed that he had been a member of the Ku Klux Klan. Despite that background, Black became an articulate spokesman for individual liberty. William E. Leuchtenburg is one of America's premier historians, a scholar who combines depth of learning with a graceful style. This superbly crafted book sheds new light on the great Constitutional crisis of our century, illuminating the legal and political battles that created today's Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court Reborn

The Constitutional Revolution in the Age of Roosevelt

William E. Leuchtenburg

Author Information

William E. Leuchtenburg is William Rand Kenan Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Visiting Professor of Legal History at Duke Law School. Winner of both the Bancroft and Parkman prizes, he is the author of many books, including The Perils of Prosperity and Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal.

The Supreme Court Reborn

The Constitutional Revolution in the Age of Roosevelt

William E. Leuchtenburg

Reviews and Awards

"Excellent....Leuchtenburg writes like a novelist."--Choice

"Highly recommended for individuals and scholars who wish to understand the separation of powers in the American national government during a time of national turmoil."--Library Journal

"An engaging and able guide."--Newsday

"There is no match for the FDR era, and essayist Leuchtenburg's collection is matchless as well."--Booklist